The management of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, held a media chat for Media Chiefs, Editors & Business Correspondents at Ibeto Hotel, Abuja, on Wednesday, December 13, 2018, to review the activities of the NCC for the outgoing year 2018 and project into the coming year 2018. “The Commission is working in line with the 8 Point Agenda which is a strategic plan and would remain valid until 2020”, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the EVC/CEO stated in his welcome address.

Sunday Dare, the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, NCC who represented Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO at the afternoon session of the event noted that, “the Telecom industry has become like Oil in the 21st century”. This is against the backdrop of the fact that, according to the NBS, the sector now contributes about N1.5 Trillion quarterly to the GDP of Nigeria, raking in about N4.7 Trillion so far between the first and third quarter of 2018.

Other statistical achievements attained this year, as reeled out by the commission include the fact that Internet subscription grew from 107,547,723 in October 2018 to 108897,679 in November 2018 and the total active broadband subscription on 3G and 4G platforms as at November 2018 stood at 58,965,478. The broadband penetration, therefore, stands at 30.9% as at November 2018.Other revelations include the fact that active voice subscriber base grew from 165,235,443 in October 2018 to 169,104,830 in November 2018.

In the final analysis, the Commission revealed that the Telecommunications and Information services sector grew by 14.7% as at the third quarter of 2018.In planning for the coming year 2018, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta stated that, in its quest to promote ICT innovation and investment opportunities, the NCC has approved grants to facilitate research in areas of need within the industry.